Chapter 318

When I arrived, the sky was gray and cold, and the world seemed to be covered with dirt. But now that it's dark, the sky is tinged with orange-red lights.

In comparison, the dirt was replaced with chocolate.

The orange-red lights originated from the inexplicable black light strips hanging on the street when they arrived; now, the warm light emanating from them made them feel warm all over.

The darkness gives light a better chance to shine, allowing it to paint the world in a different color.

"Ha~!"

Seeing all this, Ikuyo's face, which had been dull from the cold, quickly brightened, and she gasped happily, taking out her phone to look at Ishikawa Hayato.

But after seeing Ishikawa Hayato standing next to Ryo, she turned and grabbed Hitori and Nijika.

"Nijika- senpai, Ichiri-chan, let's take a picture together!"

"We just came out..." Nijika noticed her gaze and followed her with a smile and a hint of complaint.

Hitori quickly followed.

Watching their joyful figures, Liang's lips curled slightly, and she suddenly felt that it wasn't so cold outside anymore.

I know that Ikuyo can be a bit careless at times, but she's not a bad person, and she didn't mean to bother Nijika on this day.

However, thinking of Nijika's situation, Liang sighed inwardly.

"What's wrong? You're not getting bored so quickly, are you?"

"Ishikawa Hayato asked worriedly."

"You've already booked the room, what else can I do?"

Liang stared at the three people who had walked a little further away, his body motionless.

Ishikawa Hayato put down the synthesizer he was carrying and slung it over his other shoulder, then very considerately took her hand.

"Sister Ryo, I like it~!"

"Don't call me 'sister' outside." Liang squeezed his hand tightly and asked, "Which way are we going?"

"This way." Ishikawa Hayato tugged at her hand, indicating the direction.

Although they were captivated by the environment of the shopping street, the five of them did not forget about storing their musical instruments.

As Ishikawa Hayato walked a few steps out onto the street that seemed to be filled with Christmas music, he was immersed in the festive atmosphere of the holiday while also keeping an eye on the three people who had just left.

He walked past couples and other men and women waiting for someone, and noticed that three other women seemed to be deliberately lagging behind him, playing together like very close friends. He immediately guessed what was going on.

Did you two agree on something in private?

"Hmm." Liang didn't mince words. "We can't just be together like usual during special times, can we?"

Ishikawa Hayato imagined the four of them waiting together for the kiss when the time was right, and couldn't help but chuckle.

Liang glanced at him.

He immediately regained his composure and said, "Well, you've really given me a tough challenge."

Compared to before, the distance between the two is now very close, to the point that it affects their ability to walk.

"The Trial of the Harem King." A cold laugh escaped his lips.

She laughed because she saw Ishikawa Hayato's predicament.

After all, this approach must make every girl feel it's fair, but you can't treat them all the same, otherwise they'll feel it's just going through the motions.

This is practically impossible. Even if the price and the same thing are the same, some people will still feel it's unfair.

So even Ishikawa Hayato can only hope that his girlfriends are good-tempered and don't have much jealousy or vying for his affections, otherwise it would be a real battleground.

There's no escaping it.

As they spoke, the two walked out of the commercial street and saw the world of gold and silver on the main road.

On the main road, countless lights flickered on the bare roadside trees on both sides.

From the bottom of the trunk to the top of the tree, in the night, the whole tree looks like jade, or like starlight gathered together.

From the first tree they saw to the point where their vision blurred, it remained the same.

The trees, with their branches growing in different ways, looked as if they had been bathed in fine starlight on this night, so beautiful that one couldn't take their eyes off them.

Although it wasn't my first time seeing it, the annual lantern festival, which lasts for about a month, is still breathtaking.

After enjoying the beauty of the lights, Ishikawa Hayato withdrew his gaze and looked at Ryo.

The girl, who had originally intended to go straight home, now tilted her head slightly and gazed quietly at the magnificent scenery.

Her slightly parted lips exhaled warm breath, and her usually indifferent gaze softened, revealing a hint of amazement. Her face appeared even whiter under the silver light.

Before long, she came to her senses and noticed that Ishikawa Hayato was looking at her, and she gradually showed some dissatisfaction.

Ishikawa Hayato wasn't nervous at all about her change in expression. After all, they had been living intimately for several months, and there was no need to be as nervous and reserved as when they were dating before.

He generously replied, "Beautiful scenery is worth seeing, but beautiful women are even more important; only then can one be truly well-rounded."

Liang paused for a moment, then uttered a harsh remark.

"Don't let me hear you say that to them later."

"Hey, hey, stop!" Ishikawa Hayato immediately begged for mercy.

While he was speaking, he heard the voices of Ikuyo and Nijika behind him.

"So beautiful...!" / "Yes, so gorgeous."

Liang glanced back, his tone different from his earlier harsh words, and asked calmly.

Should we change players?

Ishikawa Hayato's gaze was fixed on her, and he smiled slightly.

"The road ahead is still long."

As they walked along the street toward the hotel, the two didn't engage in any romantic conversations, but instead talked about very ordinary things.

From expressing gratitude to Ryo for saving the day, to sharing her thoughts on Otsuki, to discussing how to add a metal style to the next song, the conversation finally turned to Nijika.

"How do you plan to resolve Nijika's matter?" Liang asked.

"Let's hurry up. It's not good to keep Nijika waiting, but such a special day is no good, and an ordinary day is even worse, since we've never had a proper date with her."

"You're already dating, why worry about those other things?"

"But Nijika is the kind of person who is well-behaved and likes to follow a set routine."

Looking at the beautiful scenery around them, holding their lover's hand, the two walked side by side, leaning against each other, towards the hotel.

"Too slow," Liang complained. "If Nijika ever gets so anxious that she begs me for help, I'll hold you down for her."

"Wait, can you hold me down?"

"Do you dare to resist?"

After a brief silence, Ishikawa Hayato said helplessly, "Isn't Ryo one of my people?"

"But this looks like so much fun... I'm suddenly looking forward to it."

Liang imagined the scene, a slight smile curving her eyes, and finally, a mischievous smile appeared on her face, just like a naughty girl.

Ishikawa Hayato gently nudged her shoulder and said.

"Sister Ryo is still a girl."

"Is it not allowed?"

She tilted her head and looked at Ishikawa Hayato, asking.

Ishikawa Hayato released her and patted her head.

"Marvelous."

222. Assembly

On the streets, which were as bright as day, Ishikawa Hayato and Ryo walked hand in hand ahead.

The two chatted intermittently, and the conversation shifted from serious matters to some emotional issues.

Ishikawa Hayato has always been a man of few words and finds it difficult to speak, let alone to Ryo.

Liang is lazy but has a keen eye for detail; not telling her the truth would only make her more cautious.

"It feels great to have four girlfriends under one roof, but it's also quite challenging."

Liang quickly asked, "You're not thinking of giving up?"

Ishikawa Hayato smiled and glanced at her. As he strolled leisurely, her mature yet somewhat listless gaze seemed to be casually observing him.

"Of course not, how could I bear to? Besides, wouldn't that make me a real scumbag?"

"What are the difficulties?" Liang asked casually.

"For example, I'm currently very concerned about what the people behind me think."

"This can be ignored."

Ishikawa Hayato chuckled twice, "Ryo's statement that it can be ignored is making me uneasy."

She pursed her slightly thin lips.

Upon noticing this, Ishikawa Hayato immediately smiled and begged for forgiveness, "Alright, alright, you can rest assured."

Liang knew that he couldn't convince him without evidence.

"Those involved are often blinded by their own perspective; those three are more likely to worry about interfering with our personalities."

"I see." Ishikawa Hayato nodded knowingly, then asked, "And what about Ryo?"

Liang seemed to have heard an unexpected question, and paused in thought.

Her black hair swayed slightly, and her eyes, hidden beneath her bangs, looked at Ishikawa Hayato with a hint of surprise.

He paused for a moment before finally speaking.

"Unbelievable."

"Is that so... Speaking of dating, I'm most surprised that Ryo accepted it."

As Ishikawa Hayato looked at the lights, he recalled the past. He had gradually caught up with everyone else, but Ryo had confessed to him abruptly.

"After all, Liang is a rich young lady, an unconventional, decisive, and straightforward person, and she also has a bit of a cat-like arrogant personality. Shouldn't she have dumped her boyfriend as soon as she saw him getting close to other women?"

Liang thought for a moment, then suddenly laughed, "Couldn't it be that you slept with me and won me over?"

Ishikawa Hayato almost choked on his words, and he looked at her with a blank expression, unsure how to respond.

"You even said that? How unwilling you are to tell the truth, you tsundere sister?"

Liang ignored him and suddenly quickened her pace.

Ishikawa Hayato was slightly slower than her, pretending to desperately try to catch up, and said pitifully.

"Um, Sister Ryo, your boyfriend is really curious about what you're thinking, so tell me."

"Guess for yourself."

"I know, it must be because my sister loves me so much that she feels she's already keeping me as her sugar daddy, so..."

Liang slowed her pace and looked at him.

"No."

"Pity..."

Ishikawa Hayato showed some regret on his face, but while he said that, he was thinking that at least he was right about one thing, otherwise Ryo wouldn't have seriously denied it.

The two walked hand in hand for a while longer, until they passed a flowerbed where even the shrubs were decorated with beautiful lights. Ishikawa Hayato glanced at the tall building next to them.

Then he suddenly grabbed Liang's hand and lowered his head to kiss her face.

Liang remained motionless, letting him do as he pleased, and only turned to look at him and ask after he was done.

"Arrive?"

"Um."

"Who's next?"